Ring of Sagacity
Disclaimer: I am not in the owning of the original story, nor of any parts of it. The one below, however…ah, well, half the characters are owned by me, plus the plot. I take credit for the weirdness of it all too. I'm a very odd person, I know.
Setting: Ireland, Fowl Manor
Chapter 7: A Second Ending
Vesta's initial idea was to pull back from the lunatic sitting next to her. She had to be mad to think that Vesta would let her kill her charge. But maybe, just maybe, if she went along with this something could work out well for her. There were odd twists and turns that had been occurring more and more frequently as of late, so why not?
She regained herself quickly, trying not to show how appalled she was at Anya's idea. "Yes, I see now how fortunate this finding is. Surely we can use Adamina to destroy the Sisters." She smiled lightly, trying to add a convincing effect to her speech.
Anya snorted at her. "Dear child-"
"What is it with you and this "Dear child" thing?" she interrupted suddenly. "Do I look to be that much younger than you? I happen to be one hundred and fifty-four, I'll have you know. Very proud of it, too. How old are you? One sixty? One fifty?"
"One hundred and eighty-nine." Anya stated matter-of-factly and without pause. "Continuing my point, don't think I will be fooled by the façade you put on. I know you, sprite. You want nothing more than to protect the girl. I do too. But don't you see? The reason this whole circle was started was because of us." Vesta meet her light blue eyes with questioning green ones. Was that logical, to think they were the cause of the circle? "Let me explain?" Vesta nodded hesitantly, not sure if she truly wanted to hear this.
"King Frond created us to protect the Sisters. But I think, and this is just a hypothesis here, I think that he made us to be too weak. We may be able to fight and save them, but could we ever destroy them with our own hands? It is my belief that the King bewitched time, for the sake of his daughters. Frond made it so his daughters could never die. You see, by us not killing the Sisters, we started into motion a cycle through time. Every time the Sisters are remade, we fail to demolish them, and so they are recreated in the following century.
"The Mercenary was created to balance us. But he's not so perfect. The spell can only be stopped by us. The Sisters can only be destroyed, once and for all, by us. The Guardians." she stopped and peered at Vesta to see how the other would take this. She seemed quite lost about it all. She wasn't willing to accept it, either.
"Fine, let's say perhaps you are right. Why would we want to kill the Sisters?" she questioned disbelievingly. "They are young girls, their lives are still ahead of them. Why would we take that from them?"
"This goes beyond them, Vesta. Each time they are brought back, these girls begin to destroy the world. Someone finds a way to harness their powers and tries for world dominance. Would you like to see the images I have of motionless, cold bodies? Madmen wandering the streets? Emotionless women serving these bloodthirsty tyrants? I stop the Sisters for all those who have needlessly lost their lives."
"But that wasn't them!" Vesta protested. "They were being controlled, you said it yourself! These girls aren't evil!" She knew the argument was weak, but she had to try it. "We could retain their powers, or destroy their weapons! These girls deserve the chance to live."
"You idiot! Do you not think have lived long enough? These girls are Frond's daughters! They are over a millennia old! How much longer do they need to live, Vesta? How much longer do they get to destroy? It may not be them doing it willingly, but they do it nonetheless. And if you have seen them together…these girls, once united, will remember their past. They will want to die, as they did in the past. Will we deny them what they always end up wanting yet again? I ask you, Guardian Vesta, join the third Guardian and myself . Help us bring peace to the world and to the Sisters. They deserve it."
The fire sprite bowed her head. Would she be able to kill Huyen when the time came? For the sake of the world, maybe. But were the Sisters really not happy living? When it came to that, the chances of Vesta ending their lives for them soared. If they were truly unhappy, she would destroy them and release them from the misery of life. Any merciful person would.
"I will help you, Anya. I will destroy the Sisters of Doom and my charge, seeing as she is one of them. But only if they do not find pleasure in living anymore. When I see sufficient evidence that they do not like this world anymore, then and only then will I help to destroy the Sisters of Doom."
When bright lights are the only thing there to greet you as you awake, you know it's a bad time to get up. For example, going to school or work. There is also an alarm clock for some, but the ever bright light of the sun is never really wanted that early in the day. Another example we could include in this situation would be Huyen. She had been hoping to stay in the dream realm, but the violent glare of the sun awoke her soon after her shout into the nothingness.
She noticed first that she was no longer on a plane. This realization was shortly followed by the one about her leg being chained to the bed, and that one was followed by her recognizing that there was another person in the room. There was an empty bed to her left, the one she could only assume was for the final Sister. Turning to her right, she noticed the girl named Deidra, the one from her dreams. God, that sounded so corny.
"Hey, you're up too. Nice place here, huh? I've been awake about five minutes now. What happened between you and the Mercenary?" Huyen shook her head, indicating she didn't want to discuss it. "Ok, fine. We'll not talk about it and say we did, eh? Do you have a headache?"
"No. I haven't been hit by Butler.." she snickered. " The Gorilla. That's what you called him, right? He just sedates me, I guess." With that thought, everything that had occurred upon the plane reformed in Huyen's mind. " We have to get out of here. The boy, Artemis, he's completely insane."
Deidra's eyebrows quirked. "What do you mean, insane? He seemed sane when he was ranting to me about world domination." The look on Huyen's face showed she didn't approve of the sarcasm. "Look, I know he's insane. You think I don't? I just got back from Russia for God's sake! He made me kill people there, all for revenge. I think he was smiling while I did it too." she shivered. "Evil little prick. I'll kill him if you just lock me in a room with him. Give me the chance, I swear I'll take it."
"Focus on revenge later-" there was a creak outside and Huyen stopped short. Several people were approaching the room. From the sound of their steps, it was Artemis, Butler, and someone else. The other person may have been female from the sound of their footfall: light and cautious, catlike. In other words, graceful, not like men's feet falling at all. She looked to Deidra who shrugged nonchalantly. Several moments later, the trio entered the room.
"Ah, you've rejoined the living," Artemis said calmly. Huyen could feel the hatred coming from Deidra at the statement, but tried to ignore it.
"Yes, I suppose we have. Still stating the obvious, Artemis?" she smirked back. He frowned briefly as the female companion giggled. "Ah, see, at least one of you has a sense of humor."
"Oh, don't forget the dwarf. What's his name… Mulch, I think. Interesting little guy, I have to say. Well, his wardrobe is interesting, to say the least," Deidra threw in. The girls burst out laughing simultaneously. Though they found it funny, it was apparent the group before them did not.
Artemis cleared his throat briefly. "I believe you have not had the pleasure of meeting Juliet. She's the sister of Butler, in case you didn't notice the similarities. She will be your guard," he said mockingly, "while Butler and I go to retrieve your sister. You will be unconscious, but you understand that I must take precautions. Never can be too safe, especially with powerful girls such as yourself."
"No, I don't suppose you can." Deidra said.
"Well, I thought the collars were enough. But evidently, we're too dangerous for just the collars. No, we have to be unconscious and utterly defenseless. What if there's a fire? Or if someone breaks in?" Huyen stated.
"Than I drag you both out." The woman, Juliet, responded. "Roughly." she added for effect. Huyen slowly nodded, not sure whether that was a threat or promise.
"I guess we had better hope that there isn't a fire any time soon," Deidra sighed. "Not like the Gorilla hasn't beaten me up enough as is. I don't need Little Gorilla to do more damage." Juliet smirked at her.
"I like her spunk, that fighting spirit. I want to spar with her. Can I?" she said, turning to Artemis, awaiting his reply. She batted her eyes at him, attempting the puppy-eyed look.
"I don't see why not. Just don't hurt her too badly. I do need them later."
"Hey now, this is no fair. I'm only so far into martial arts! She has to be a black belt at least!" the Silent Reaper protested.
Juliet laughed at her. "I'm a master. And not only that, but a master of several arts, not just one."
"Just wonderful. Look, I'm not fighting you for fun! And even if you try, you'll just be beating up a body, because I refuse to fight you!" she screamed.
"We'll see." Juliet whispered with an evil smirk to the girl. Deidra shook her head in disbelief and went back to Artemis.
"Well, what do you want, psycho? Here to rant and rave again? Well?"
Artemis eyed her. "In a matter of speaking, yes I am. I've told you about the circumstances of which you'll be under while I am gone. After I return and I have the Betraying Angel, we will be traveling. If you can remain civilized, I extend to you an offer to remain conscious on the plane trip." Huyen cut Deidra off before she had even opened her mouth.
"Why?" she asked.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Why are you extending that offer to us? We could crash the plane and kill everyone inside if we're awake on the trip. You don't mind us being unconscious at your home, even though the damage we could do is minimal. We couldn't kill anyone here. So why on the plane?"
"Oh, I see." Artemis said. "You wonder why I risk my life so heedlessly."
"Something like that." Huyen responded sourly.
"Well, I thought perhaps you girls would like to see your home as we fly over it. I don't mean your homes from this life; I mean your original home, King Frond's castle. It's where we will be going, after I have all three of you. So, what do you girls say? Will you take the offer?"
"We'll think about it." Huyen replied, once again cutting Deidra off. She received a glare from the other girl and shook it off. "Right?" she turned to Deidra.
"Right, right, whatever. Have a nice plane trip. Hope you crash and die," she said with a smile to Artemis. Butler frowned behind him and held the door open for his employer. Artemis started laughing right then, but stopped short as everyone stared at him.
"Butler, let's go. We have work to do." The boy genius stormed out of the room, fuming. Butler followed him and silently shut the door. Both of the girls knew that when they returned, the Betraying Angel would be in their captivity.
"So, girls, looks like it's time for a nap," Juliet suddenly said from the other side of the room. Huyen turned her head and saw that Juliet held more sedatives.
"Don't you think that those might start affecting our systems? We might become addicted or something," the Japanese girl stated. She was hoping to avoid the unconscious realm. I have to come up with a name for that place other than "The Unconscious Realm." Sounds like something out of a science fiction book, she thought to herself.
"Oh no, you won't become addicted. I wouldn't worry about that too much, Arty knows his stuff."
"Arty?" snorted Deidra, "you have to be kidding me, that's his nickname? Man, who came up with that?"
"His mother did. Now, no more stalling. Will you guys take this willingly, or will I have to use this?" She hefted a small handgun from behind her back and loaded one of the syringes into it. "Well?"
Huyen rolled up her sleeve in compliance, but Deidra simply turned her head to the far wall, ignoring the whole situation. Juliet went to Huyen first, injected her, and then went back to her spot near the door. She took brief aim and fired the tranquilizer at Deidra. The girl flinched but didn't look away from the wall. A very familiar darkness came swooping down on both of them, carrying them to the other realm.
"Man, I hate this place! What is this place anyway?" Deidra said when she had rematerialized in the plane.
"Let's just call it the Other Realm, huh? Seems suitable for this place. So, Deidra, any idea for escapes or anything?" Huyen asked as she sat on the grass. The Other Realm had changed again. It was no longer an Iceland. Now it was a place of rolling, green hills, few trees, and numerous clouds. There were flowers on the ground which gave off brilliant colors against the vibrant green beneath them.
"Look, just call me Dei, everyone does. Can I call you Hu, or Yen? Something like that?"
"No, I prefer my whole name, please. Perhaps that girl will show up. What did she say her name was? Amanda?"
Dei plopped down next to her, taking up some of the shade from the tree they sat under. "No, I don't think that's what she said. I believe it was Amara."
"Someone say my name?" a sweet voice called from the distance. Both of the girls looked down the hill they were on and spotted Amara skipping toward them.
"Amara, how kind of you to join us," Huyen said while smiling. "Be cautious though, Artemis is on his way for you."
"Who?" she cocked her head to the side and grinned.
"The kid that kidnapped us, weren't you listening? Or did you miss that last time?" Deidra said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I must have just arrived here when you two were talking about it last time. So, there is a boy after me? Why?"
"What are you, stupid?" Deidra blurted out.
"Hey, that's not called for!" Huyen burst in. "Look, he's after our powers, Amara. He's not afraid to hurt us a bit. Please, wake up as soon as you can and leave where ever it is that you are. If he catches you, we're going to have big problems."
"Oh, I see. Well, I suppose I could leave this city. Adamina is after me again anyway, so I probably should. Do you two know where you are? Maybe I could come and help you," Amara said as she too sat on the grass.
"Somewhere in Ireland, but I don't suggest coming to help us. There is a guard watching us, so it's not safe. Look, just get out of that city and hide."
"Yeah, the guard's this smart ass-"
"Anyway," Huyen interrupted with a glare to Deidra, "just leave that place. Go somewhere safe." Amara looked down at the flowers before her as she responded.
"Safe? You think I haven't been looking for somewhere that is safe?" Her eyes were suddenly glaring at both of them, tears falling freely from the blue orbs. "I have been running for years, I've lost count how long it's been. There is nowhere that is safe from enemies. You might think you're safe, but it's just a lie your telling yourself so you'll feel safe." She sniffed and wiped her hand across her face. "Pah, safe! Look, I'll run, sure. But if they really are looking for me, it won't matter. Everyone finds me, whether I want them to or not. I came here to talk to you two, but I'd rather not now. I'm going back home, as you suggested White Bringer." Huyen and Deidra were up in flash to try and stop her, but she simply vanished.
"Well, that could have gone better," Dei stated matter-of-factly.
"Yes, I suppose it could have."
"Well, what do we do now?"
Huyen laid back in the grass. "Nothing, I guess. Not like we can do much of anything anyway. We could plot on how to get away from Psycho Boy, but that's about it."
"That's your genius suggestion? Lay back and relax? What are you going to do, take a nap? Just how old are you anyway?" Deidra asked.
"Hey, I don't know about you, but my body is the only part of me that has been resting lately. My mind is rubbed raw. It needs a break, and I'm giving it one. And I'm fifteen. My birthday was last March, you?" She rolled over, away from Deidra, and closed her eyes.
The Silent Reaper shook her head in disbelief and rolled over in the opposite direction. "Thirteen. I think Amara is fourteen. You know, seems logical. She is certainly older that me, that's for sure." All Deidra received in return was a grunt from Huyen.
The sisters huddled under the tree, a soft breeze playing through their hair. They enjoyed being outdoors, even if it was all in their minds. Little did they know it would be the last time they would ever enjoy something so simple in their lives.
Author's Note:
Ha ha ha! This story is done! Thank you to all whom have reviewed, I will post replies to those reviews in a moment. But first, let me say that the Bracelet of Mentality is coming soon. I might delay while I write the first chapters, try to get a little ahead you know, but I'll have it up soon!
Replies to Reviews:
Kasey Rider: Thank you, I appreciate hearing so. I will try to update very soon. I've been doing a lot of writing though and it catches up with me quickly.
me, obviously: Yes, the fairies of Haven will be in this. Holly will be in it too, but she's probably not going to be helping out much. I try to warn you guys, but no one listens. There will not be a happy ending to this, not unless someone can give me a plausible reason to have a happy one.
Heather: Ok Heather, I have many things to say to you. 1) You don't embarrass me, no matter how much you think you do. I am very proud to be myself, even if I am sadistic. And it took a long time to feel that way, so stop it! 2) Cliffhangers are my specialty, deal with it you! 3) Yes, I know you're better than me at English. Thanks for rubbing it in. Again. 4) Thank you for mentioning the Intimidating Bedside Table in public. I'm sure no one else has any clue as to what that is, but don't worry, they don't need to know, nor do they want to know. Inside joke. 5) And yes, you are the most insane out of our group. Oh, I'm sorry, I mean sane. And thanks for the comment on my totally random laughing outbursts. Everyone needed to know about that. Why don't you just tell them my life story already, huh? J/k. You know I appreciate everything you do for me, so thanks for fixing all my crappy writing for me! Luv Ya!
Thanks to all for reading The Ring of Sagacity! Catch The Bracelet of Mentality, coming soon!
Finelley
